Fear is on my mind lately. It comes in different shapes and sizes and busts onto the scene of our lives for a myriad of positive and negative reasons. But, fear truly is fueled from two power sources… our flesh and God.
Either one or the other motivates us.
I’m a people pleaser. Guilty of thriving on what others think of me. Desperately needing everyone to like me. There are so many reasons… love, significance and security to name a few.
I’m no stranger to fear. And not the Godly kind.
It’s interesting, because fleshly fear can mask itself as Godly fear. We can do the right things, make the right choices and call it Godly fear, but underneath the flesh trembles.
The opposite of fear is confidence. Some people have the problem of too much self-confidence… it, like fear can also mask itself as Godly confidence. But, that’s whole other post.
Fear motivates me.
For example… I struggle with boldness because not only do I not want to cause someone not to like me, but I also don’t want to make someone feel bad or uncomfortable.
Another example… I don’t compete. I’d rather cheer others on for fear of losing… or fear of hurting someone else by winning.
The switch from fear of man and fear of God started a long time ago for me, but it’s a lingering issue. One that surely I will battle all of my days here in this place. The only good thing about it is that it keeps me reaching for Him.
I meditate on these verses…
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Proverbs 9:10
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." Proverbs 9:10
“So we say with confidence… The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid what can mere mortals do to me?” Hebrews 13:6
“Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” Proverbs 29:25
“The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1-3
“Am I now trying to win approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10
That last verse sets me straight!
Which kind of fear motivates you? Tell me your secret to focusing your fear on the Lord.
Counting on with Ann at A Holy Experience…
92. watching cupcake wars with big sister
93. walking through the swamp to get to the beautiful Marco Island
94. playing with the live clams in the shore
95. shelling with the kids
96. seeing dolphins playing in the distance
97. the palm tree covered in African “killer” bees… and the fact that big sister looked before climbing it
98. little miss turning into a fish over night
99. dinner with an old friend
100. the little owls living above the front door of the rental house
101. how mr man held on to the dock for dear life when he fell into the canal
102. flip-flops that float
103. hearing Your voice in the quiet of my mind
104. anxiety because it forces me to draw on you
105. misunderstandings sorted out
106. the Kennedy Space Center
107. the opportunity to see the rocket Juno blast off into space… awesome!
108. surviving the heat while waiting for the launch
109. unforgettable family time
110. home
111. anticipating the new homeschool year ahead
112. focusing my Fear on You
Wonderful list! 102 made me smile. :)
ReplyDeleteFear can be so disabling. I can not imagine going through life and facing fear without Christ. I love Psalm 46:10.
Heidi,
ReplyDeleteI can so relate to this especially when you said you don't compete you would rather cheer other people on, out of fear of failure or fear of hurting someone else by winning, I can relate to that because I do the same thing, I have done it. I walk in the same fears you do. Great post today Heidi and blessings to you.
Gosh, Heidi...this is a post I could have written. We are so much alike in our thinking :) I, too, am a people pleaser, though not as much as I used to me, and I'd rather cheer someone else on than enter in competition. I especially like: It’s interesting, because fleshly fear can mask itself as Godly fear. We can do the right things, make the right choices and call it Godly fear, but underneath the flesh trembles." This is so true!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this and exposing some of your fears in this way. Be blessed!
I can totally relate, your post just described me a to a tee! I know I'm motivated by fear. I'm learning and growing and to overcome it I have my sweet sisters pray for me constintly and I talk to God non stop. Fear is huge when I'm about to preach or talk infront of anyone. I'm afraid of God being mad at me if I don't do or say something right. I want God's love and comfort to be my motivator, not stupid fear! great post sister :)
ReplyDeleteI was in Galations 5 last week where it discusses what actions of the flesh look like and the reactions of the spirit. The flesh and the spirit are in constant battle. Battling so that good intentions are not realized. Intenions meant to glorify God but then flesh comes into play making it all about us. Ten different things piled up on me last week and I felt my flesh kick in as a result. I'm pretty sure I had my first panic attack too. That is why we are to live in the spirit. The spirit of peace, gentleness and kindness. That ensures God honoring reactions to lifes big bumps!
ReplyDeleteTerrific post! Fear is an all-too-familiar companion to me. I have to resist it moment by moment. I too struggle with people pleasing. How ridiculous and futile is that? I long to get to the place where God alone is my holy motivator. Where my life listens for His voice alone and I run to His side to follow. Those verses all speak to that desire in me to break free from that fleshly desire to follow the crowd and chase hard after the One True God!
ReplyDeleteHeidi, that last verse really spoke to me too. As I doing this for man's approval or for God's? Great question to continually ask myself. I can so relate to the examples of how fear has impacted your life, because they describe me too.
ReplyDeleteLove your list today, especially #96.
Lovely list! Nice to meet you.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Traci @ Ordinary Inspirations
Heidi,
ReplyDeleteIt's as if you were writing about me. I like to cheer people on as well, and I think it is closely related to my fear of losing. Never thought about it that way...interesting.
Hi Heidi - whenever I feel fearful, I try to remind myself that fear is not from God, its from the devil. I kind of mentally shake myself and try to see why he is trying to make me fear. But the best medicine for fear is God's word.
ReplyDeleteGod bless
Tracy
I fall into some similar patterns Heidi, and like you have been working (with God's help of course :-)) to shift those fears. Galatians 1:10 is a convicting verse, but also a motivating one.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, and a wonderful list!
Have a Blessed Day!
Honey, you and I could have a fear party! I am in a constant battle with Satan over this very thing. I recite Scripture and declare him unworthy to steal my joy! It's a daily battle, but one I am winning one day at a time with His help
ReplyDelete